Suction cleaning and sweeping machine



July 18, 1939. w. '.J. FRAME ET AL SUCTION QLEANING AND SWEEPING MACHINE e sheets-smet 1 Filed Aug. 19, 1936 llllllllllllll IIJ \.rl||.|

INVENTORS WIILIAM J.

FRAME JQHN J. mamen By '77W q1 73M,

ATTORNEYS Juy 18, v1939- A w. J. FRAME r-:r AL' 2,166,863

SUCTION CLEANING AND SWEEPING MACHINE Filed Aug. 19, 1936 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOHS WILLIAM J. FRAME JOHN J. HAMBIDGE By VZW VWM l' ATTORNEYS July 18, 1939. w. J. FRAME ET Ax.` 2,166,863

SUCTION CLEANING AND SWEEPING MACHINE Filed Aug. 19, 1936 6 sheets-sheet 3 INVENToxs wxLLIAM J. FRAME JOHN J. HAMBIDGE ATTORNEYSl July 13, 1939- w. J. FRAME ET AL 2,166,863

SUGTION CLEANING AND SWEEPING MACHINE Filed Aug. 19, 1936 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTORS WILLIAM J; FRAME JOHN J. HAMBIDGE By 9L ATTORNYS July 18, 1939.

w. J. FRAME Er A| SUCTION CLEANING AND SWEEPING MACHINE lFiled Aug. 19. 1936 6 SheetsSheet 5 IHVENTORS N WILLIAM J. FRAME B JOHN J. HAI'IBIDGH ATTORNEYS July 18, l939 w. J. FRAME Er AL 2,166,863

SUGTION CLEANING AND SWEEPING MACI'IINv Filed Aug. 19, 1936 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 WILLIAI J. FRAME JOHN J. HAMBIDGE By 9L ATTORNEYS Patented July 18, 1939 UNITED STATES SUCTION CLEANING AND SWEEPING MACHINE William Johnston Frame, Putney, London, and John James Hambidge, Wandsworth Common,

London, England Application August 19, '1936, Serial No. 96,866

In Great Britain August 23, 1935v s claims. (ci. 159 This invention relates to suction cleaning and ple a machine constructed according to .the` insweeping machines of the kind wherein a rotary brush or brushes is or are disposed within a suction nozzle adapted to be traversed over a floor or Ai other surface to be cleaned.

The object vof the present invention is to provide an improved construction and arrangement of suction cleaning and sweeping machine designed to enable the drive to the sweeper member or members to be disconnected and also by the same operation if desired the floor nozzle suction passage to be closed and the suction diverted to another passage or passages to which a connection or connections can be made for cleaning articles and surfaces.

According tothe invention a suction cleaning and sweeping machine is provided wherein a rotary brush or brushes in the suction nozzle is or are driven by a belt from a shaft mounted coaxially with the fan shaft, the two shafts being capable of connection by means of a clutch device.

The invention also consists in a suction cleaning and sweeping machine including an electric motor and a fan mounted on a horizontalaxis,

a shaft constituting an extension of the fan shaft, a belt drive between said extensions and a brush or brushes in the suctiongnozzle, clutch members adapted to couple the fan shaft and extension and manually operated means for connecting and disconnecting saidshafts.

'I'he invention further consists in a suction cleaning and sweeping machine wherein a valve controls communication from a suction producer to a floor nozzle, and is so arranged that when the valve is moved to the closed oor nozzle position such operation puts the drive to the rotary brush member out of action and at the same time one or" more secondary air passages are put in communication with the suction producer for 40 the purpose of enabling other surfaces or articles to be cleaned by suction.

The invention still further consists in a suction cleaning and sweeping machine including a floor nozzle or nozzles, a rotary brush or brushes s disposed in one nozzle, a secondary air passage or passages and a combined valve and clutch de vice capable of partial rotation by hand to a position in which the brush is driven and a suction producer is placed in communication with said floor nozzle or to an alternative position in which the brush is disconnected from its driving means and the suction producer placed in communication with the secondary air passage or passages.

Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings which illustrate by way of examventlon and in which:-

Flg. 1 is a longitudinal sectional elevation,

Fig. 2 is a front elevation partly in section,

Fig. 3 is a rear elevation, 5

Fig.4lsaplan, Y

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional elevation showing the position of the parts when the drive to the brushes is disconnected,

Fig. 6 is aperspective view of the valve ele- 10 ment, i

Fig. 7 is a diagram of the electrical circuit arrangements, and A Fig. 8 is a longitudinal sectional elevation of a modified construction. 1 In the construction illustrated the improved suction cleaning and sweeping machine comprises a main casing i which contains an electric ,driving motor 2 the spindle 3 of which extends into a fan chamber 4 and carries a suction creating 20 fan 5; The casing I has also a forward extension 6 embodying the drive hereinafter described to rotary brushes 1 removably mounted within a floor suction nozzle 8 constituting a downward extension of the aforesaid forward extension 6 of 25 the main casing. o

The forward end of the power 'operated shaft 3 has mounted thereon a friction clutch element 9 which is slidable over the end of the shaft and has a pin and slot connection I 0 therewith, the 30 clutch member being urged by a spring Il into engagement with a co-operating friction clutch member i2 which is preferably formed of cork and is mounted on the inner end' of a shaft i3 vconstituting a co-axial extension of the shaft 3 35 and carrying at its outer end a pulleyl I4 from which the drive is transmitted by a belt l5 to a pulley I6 formed at the centre of the brush spindle Il.

The extension shaft I3 is carried in a combined 40 clutch and valve unit capable of adjustment by means of a handle Il which projects through the top of the casing extension 6. In the position shown in Fig. 1 the suction fan chamber 4 is in communication -with the floor nozzle 8 45 24 carrying bearings 2i for the extension shaft 55 ber 20 by means of a screw threaded shank and a nut 23 and the handle projects through a relatively wide slot 21 in the casing extension 'l which slot is covered by a plate 28 having a narrow slot 28 inclined to the horizontal axis of the machine (see Fig. 4). With this arrangement movement of the handle I8 from one end of the slot Il to the other will impart a combined rotational A and axial movement to' the valve member 2l and the parts mounted therein including the extension shaft- I3. In this manner the clutch member I2 can be brought into and out of driven engagement with the clutch member 8 as required.

By employinga separate shaft I3 which carries the driving pulley I4`for the brush spindles certain advantages accrue, the first of which is that the cantilever pull of the belt I5 is not transferred to the bearings of the main power shaft 3 and secondly. the friction clutch arrangement 9 and I2 may be arranged so that slip or disengagement can take place if the brushes should jam or if an overload occurs on the drive.

When the combined valve and clutch element is partially rotated and axially moved to occupy the position shown in Fig. 5 the outer cylindrical portion of the valve member` closes the passage ZI and the port I9 is brought into alignment with a port 30 at one side of the main casing I,this port leading to a short passage 3l to which a flexible hoseor other connection can be attached for the purpose of cleaning surfaces or articles other than floors or floor areas which are inaccessible to the machine as a whole. Alternatively the passage 3i may be arranged to communicate with a secondary oor nozzle brought into operation for cleaning only by suction when the brush is inoperative. In the position of the valve memberlshown in Fig. 5 the clutch members 8 and I2 are disengaged and the drive to the brush' ceases. The ends o'f the brush spindle I1 are mounted in ball races 32,` the housings of which are detachably carried in spring clips 33 fixed in the end walls 34 of the suction nozzle 8. This nozzle is completed at its under side by means of a sheet metal trough 35 having an opening or openings 35 formed in its base and extending through substantially the width of the nozzle and this trough is adapted to be sprung into position by causing `a beading 31 along its rear edge to engage above the edge of a curved plate 38 fixed adjacent the lower edge of the casing extension 6 but capable of slight movement against the action of a spring 39 to allow the trough 35 to be sprung into position.

The distance of the brushes 1 and the suction nozzle 8 from the floor surface may be adjusted by means of a rotary brush level control device 401mounted on one side of the casing AI and operating a spindle connected through a crank and rod 4I to the forward end of a frame 42 pivoted at 43 to the casing I andcarrying floor wheels 44. Raising or lowering of the connecting rod 4I will therefore adjust the position of the suction nozzle 8 and brushes 1. l

The machine is provided with a propelling handle 45 which is pivoted to the sides of the casing at 48 and which has clamped to it a projecting arm 41 which is slotted at one end so that when it .is desired to fix the handle relatively to the casing for the purpose of fioor polishing the end of the arm 41 is caused to engage around a screw 48 which enters the rear end of the casing l. When not in use the arm 41 is moved to the position shown in Fig. 3 in which it occua,1ee,aea n. The handle n is tixedmto'the valve mem-l pies a position coincident with one arm ofthe handle 45. y

The rear portion of the casing l constitutes the motor housing, the motor being resiliently mounted between a buil'er 43 of india rubber at its rear end and an annular india rubber disc 50 against which bears a flange 5I at the forward end of the motor casing. The annular disc 53 is mounted in a metal disc 52 which is held in position between co-operating parts of the fan chamber 4.

The upper portion of the machine is preferably provided with an insulated housing 53 which serves to enclose certain electrical components oi' the machine. The forward end of this housing is formed as a hood 54 for a lamp 55 arranged to illuminate the iloor area ahead of the machine. The rear portion of the housing 53 is formed as a socket 58 in which are disposed contact pins 51 to engage an adaptor 58 to which are attached iiexible electrical conductors communicating with a source of electric current supply. These contact pins are electrically connected to the motor 2, a switch 59, the lamp 55 and a lamp resistance 30, the connections between these components being illustrated in Fig. 7. The rear portion of the housing 53 slopes downwardly so that the operating arm of the switch 58 does not project above the top of the housing and is thus protected against accidental operation.

To prevent overheating of the interior of the housing 53 air for cooling is caused to circulate through it whilst the machine is in operation by .providing an opening 5I in the base of the housing communicating with the interior. of the motor housing which is provided with an air inlet or inlets 82. Air vents 63 are also provided in the housing 53 whilst air passages I4 communicating with the interior of the housing extend to the eye of the i'an 5.

'I'he delivery from the fan passes through an outlet 85 to which a filter bag is connected in the usual manner.

'Ihe rear portion of the main casing I is supported on a pair of wheels 53 mounted in a common bearing arranged to swivel about a pin 61.

In the alternative construction illustrated in Fig. 8 parts having similar functions to those illustrated in Figs. 1-7 are indicated by the same reference numerals. In this construction the valve member 23 is omitted, the clutch members I1 and I8 being employed in a normal suction nozzle to connect or disconnect the drive to the rotary brushes 1. In this arrangement the operating handle or lever I8 instead of being fixed in the valve member is fixed in a sleeve 58 capable of rotational and axial adjustment and which carries the tubular member 23. The handle or lever I 3 is movable in an inclined slot similar to that shown at 29 in Fig. 4 for the purpose of eiIecting axial movement of the extension shaft I3 as before. f

We claim: l

l. A suctionv cleaning and sweeping machine comprising a casing terminating in a suction nozzle and having a secondary suction inlet, rotary brush elements mounted in said nozzle, a suction fan mounted on a horizontal shaft in the casing,v

a valve member mounted in the casing coaxially with said shaft and operable to connect the suction nozzle or the secondary suction inlet to the suction portion of the fan. an extension shaft in the casing coaxial with said fan shaft, a driving connection between said extension shaft and said tension shaft mounted in the valve member in brush elements,'clutch elements mounted on the adjacent ends of the fan shaft and the extension shaft, and a hand operated sleeve carrying said extension shaft and connected to said valve member to operate therewith and movable axially to control said clutch elements in accordance with the operatiomof said valve member.

2. A suction cleaning and sweeping machine according to claim l, wherein said sleeve extends over said clutchvelements. l

3. A suction cleaning and sweeping machine comprising a casing, a floor nozzle having a passage leading into said casing, the casing having a passage for a secondary nozzle at a side of. and leading into said casing, a suction fanin said casing, a rotary brush in said floor nozzle, a rotary valve in said casing rotatable to place either of said passages in communication with said fan, a lhorizontal shaft carrying said fan, a horizontal extension shaft carried by said rotary valve, a driving connection between Said extension shaft and said brush, clutch elements mounted respectively on said shafts and capable of connecting said shafts and controlled by axial movement of said `extension shaft, and means forimparting partial rotary and axial movements to said valve and extension shaft.

4. A suction cleaning and sweeping machine comprising a casing having a suction oor nozzle connected thereto and also having a secondary suction inlet, a rotary brush mounted in said nozzle, a suction fan in the casing having a shaft for driving it, a valve member mounted in the Y casing and operative to connect said floor nozzle or said secondary suction inlet to the suction portion of the fan, a sleeve mounted in the casing beyond the fan shaft and movable axially thereof when said valve member is operated, an extension shaft mounted coaxially in the 'sleeve in alinement y,with the fan shaft and movable axially with said sleeve, driving means for coaxinecting the extension shaft to the brush, and driving clutch members on the adjacent ends of the fan shaft and the extension shaft and engageable and disengag'eable by axial movements of said sleeve.

5. A suction cleaning and sweeping machine comprising a casing having a suction floor nozzle connected thereto and also having a secondary suction inlet, a rotary brush mounted in said nozzle, a suction fan having a supporting and driving shaft mounted in the casing, a valve member extending into the casing coaxially of the fan shaft, said valve member being rotatable to control the connection of the oor nozzle and said secondary suction inlet to the suction portion of the fan and simultaneously movable axially toward and from the fan shaft, an exalinement with the fan shaft and movable axially with said valve member, driving clutch members on the inner end of the extension shaft and the adjacent end of the-fan shaft controlled by axial 5 movements of said valve member, and driving means connecting the outer end of the extension shaft to the brush. i 6. A suction cleaning andA sweeping machine comprising a casing, a suction fan mounted therein, a. oor nozzle connected to the casing and yhaving a port for connecting it to the suction portion of the fan, the casing having an inlet for the attachment of a suction conduit thereto and provided with a port for connecting it to the suction portion of the fan, a brush mounted in 1 the floor nozzle, a valve mounted to rotate and move axially in the casing coaxially of the fan shaft and having a port movable into communication with the floor nozzle port or the inlet port by rotation of the valve an'd a driving clutch controlled by the axial movement of the valve for Aconnecting the brush to the fan shaft when the port yin the valve is in communication with the floor nozzle port and for disconnecting said brush from the fan shaft when the port in the valve is in communication with said inlet port.

7. A suction cleaning and sweeping machine comprising a casing. a suction fan` mounted therein, a floor nozzle connectedto the casing and having a port for connecting it to the suction portion of the fan, the casing having an inlet for the attachment of a suction conduit thereto and provided with a port for connecting it to the suction portion of the fan, a brush mountedin the floor nozzle, a valve mounted to rotate and move axially in the casing coaxially of the fan shaft and having a portmovable into communication with the floor nozzle port or the. inlet port by rotation of the valve,'an extension 40 shaft mounted coaxially in said valve and movable axially therewith, a driving clutch for connecting one end of the extension shaft to the fan shaft when the valve is rotated to bring the port therein into communication withthe oor nozzle port, and a driving belt located exteriorly of said valve and connecting the other end of the extension shaft to the brush in the floor nozzle.

8. A suction cleaning and sweeping machine 5o according to claim 6, wherein said valve is rotated and moved axially in the casing by an arm connected to the valve and operating in a slot in the casing which is inclined to the axis of th valve.

WILLIAM JOHNSTON FRAME. JOHN JAMES HAMBIDGE. 

